Saint Martin’s University Gears Up for #GivingTuesday 2014

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Submitted by Saint Martin’s University

Giving TuesdayIf you haven’t heard of it yet, you will. If you think it’s too early to start thinking about holiday giving, maybe you’ll be glad someone’s already planning for the big day. That day is “#GivingTuesday,” Dec. 2, and Saint Martin’s University is becoming a partner in the international event.

#GivingTuesday is a day set aside during the holiday season to celebrate philanthropy, volunteerism and community service, and to be part of the powerful difference people can make when they join forces to help others.  Designated as the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday highlights “giving back,” similar to the emphasis on holiday shopping marked by Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The idea is to focus the generous spirit of the Christmas season on gifts of service and support, says Deanna Bourgault, Saint Martin’s director of annual giving. Bourgault will be leading the University’s campaign and working with other area organizations and schools interested in getting involved. She also is working in collaboration with South Puget Sound Community College and The Evergreen State College on a joint campaign.

“Saint Martin’s #GivingTuesday goal is to help bring awareness to our greater community about the importance of giving back during the holiday season.  As a Catholic, Benedictine educational institution, service and community involvement are two of our core values, and we encourage everyone to engage in philanthropy on Dec. 2. We hope that by the three local educational institutions working together on the campaign, we will encourage other organizations to become involved,” says Bourgault. Philanthropy encompasses so much more than charitable giving – we ask everyone to be a part of this international movement by volunteering their time, being an advocate for their favorite cause, making a financial contribution, or just inspiring others to transform how they think about and participate in the giving season.”

Since its inception in 2011, #GivingTuesday has quickly gained momentum. In 2013, more than 10,000 partners in more than 40 countriesparticipated. Through the power of social media, a global conversation ensued, with more than 3 billion people helping to spread the word via Twitter, Facebook and other social media. Most important, the day led to a 270-percent increase in donations to non-profit organizations and countless service projects worldwide, according to the #GivingTuesday website.

The Saint Martin’s #GivingTuesday Campaign will officially begin Sept. 2, when a webpage will be launched on the University’s website,www.stmartin.edu. A series of Facebook notices, tweets and other social media efforts will support the campaign in November and early December.

For more information on #GivingTuesday, please go to www.givingtuesday.org/; organizations interested in partnering with Saint Martin’s can contact Bourgault at 360-438-4586; deanna.bourgault@stmartin.edu

 

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